A VISION TO RESPOND TO

I believe, despite all that is presently happening within Canadian Anglicanism, that this is a day of new beginnings. I said to the ARM Board at our last meeting that our time of being passive must end. Too much is at stake - it is a time for action. It seems we have been on the defensive - almost apologetic [in the worst sense of the word] - over the last while. I believe it is time for ARM to take an offensive posture. Too much is at stake. The Church, insofar as it bears the Gospel of Jesus and moves under the anointing of the Holy Spirit is the hope of this world. Whether it be through LTI's, our ARM Ambassador, missioners or conferences,

...our desire is to promote renewal in the Church so that the world might be reached for the Lord.

I believe the work of renewal within the Canadian Anglican Church is an absolute necessity if we are to embrace the 21st century with vigor and relevance. However, as you undoubtedly know, ours is a Church not always receptive to the influence of the renewing work of the Holy Spirit. Sadly, at times, this has simply been because those of us in renewal have not always offered a reasonable or acceptable model that others might embrace. Sometimes we have been exclusive and judgmental. I believe we are entering a new season.

To embrace this new season, it is absolutely essential that we break free of any past notions we might have concerning renewal. While it is certainly true that much of the Canadian Anglican Church is not even moving in line with the 60's and 70's flavor of renewal - we cannot allow ARM to get stuck in a renewal mode that is 2 or 3 decades behind what the Lord is presently about in His Church. We need to embrace all the good that early movements of renewal have injected into our Church, but again, we cannot afford to be content with yesterday's anointing despite its blessing and the comfort we have as we move in it. We are being challenged to look to the cutting edge - to whatever it is that the Lord is wanting to move His Church into - we are called to posture ourselves so as to be in position to receive and embrace tomorrow's anointing. This will require some real stretching today as we celebrate yet release the past and begin to look to the future.

At the same time we need to be contextual and introduce [Anglican] saints to renewal at a level that is "acceptable" and meaningful to any given Parish - but we also need to be mindful that the Lord cannot be marketed in a package with which we personally feel comfortable. A robust, orthodox faith will surely challenge much of the mediocrity we have all grown to accept, especially as we look to the blueprint God has for His Church [cf. ACTS 2). It is a fearful - that is, awe-filed - thing to fall into the hands of the Living God, but it is also the only life-giving option the Lord provides. ARM Canada needs to become much more "progressive" than it has been in the past - to break from a passivity that has characterized its work as of late.

I believe we need to become far more aggressive and strategic in reaching out to this Anglican constituency which we have chosen as our vineyard.

The apostolic ministry of Bishop Malcolm, our ARM Ambassador, in this regard is without question a step in the right direction - but we need also to network renewal parishes across this nation and from them develop a rela-tional network that embraces any con-gregation in renewal providing both support and encouragement. Such a network can also be used to host and sponsor conferences, workshops, retreats, and more, that will serve the purpose of igniting a fire that will sweep cross the face of the Canadian Church.

While our profile needs to be raised, so also our image needs to be changed. The notion that ARM is essentially - solely - representative of some charis-matic fringe group within Canadian Anglicanism needs to be challenged. We are a movement of Canadian Anglicans who embrace a convergence theology. To be sure, we freely embrace an openness to the Holy Spirit which gives us a charismatic depth, but we are appreciative of, and honor the catholic dimension of Christianity, especially its liturgical and sacramental expression of life; and we embrace a faith founded and anchored on the apostolic truth of Scripture. Indeed, we understand the Church to be most fully expressive of God's design when simultaneously charismatic, catholic and apostolic - for this is exactly what we profess in the Nicene Creed.

Who among you, reading this article - and others whom you may know -truly cares for this Canadian Anglican Church of ours? Who believes this Church of ours can be renewed from the ground up - becoming a vibrant expression of the New Testament Church, bear-ing witness to the Kingdom in signs and wonders, faithful to the faith once delivered to the saints, and moving in the power of God's Holy Presence?

How is this to be accomplished? Through much prayer and in the power of the Holy Spirit? Absolutely! But the Lord often chooses to use human instruments through which He works His wonder of renewal and transforma-tion. ARM desires to be used of the Lord in this regard - to create this renewal network across the face of Canadian Anglicanism and see individ-uals, Parishes and perhaps even Dioceses burst forth in the life the Lord holds out before them. But frankly, we are hampered in this regard simply because we lack the financial resources to move forward with our vision.

It is so true: we have not because we ask not.

Recognizing that the kingdom is never financed through the raising of funds but rather by the releasing of funds, we are asking faithful Anglicans across the breadth of this nation to consider a modest proposal: simply commit $10 per month in support of ARM and its vision [by automatic debit through the ARM office - to maintain consistency and ease of your offering]. If at any time you feel the vision of renewal is not being advanced, simply cancel your gift for we will not then be worthy of receiving it. Further, may I ask that you not delay - phone the ARM National Office now - call us toll-free at 1-866-627-1276 and say you want to join together with us in this grand commission.

Without you, we cannot go forward - but in partnership with you, all things are possible through Him.